Chapters 35–42

Chapters 43–45, page 2

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Summary: Chapter 43

As Elizabeth tours the beautiful estate of Pemberley with
the Gardiners, she imagines what it would be like to be mistress
there, as Darcy’s wife. The housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, shows them
portraits of Darcy and Wickham and relates that Darcy, in his youth, was
“the sweetest, most generous-hearted boy in the world.” She adds
that he is the kindest of masters: “I have never had a cross word from
him in my life.” Elizabeth is surprised to hear such an agreeable
description of a man she considers unbearably arrogant.

While Elizabeth and the Gardiners continue to explore
the grounds, Darcy himself suddenly appears. He joins them in their walk,
proving remarkably polite. Elizabeth is immediately embarrassed
at having come to Pemberley after the events of recent months, and
she assures Darcy that she came only because she thought that he
was away. Darcy tells her that he has just arrived to prepare his
home for a group of guests that includes the Bingleys and his own
sister, Georgiana. He asks Elizabeth if she would like to meet Georgiana,
and Elizabeth replies that she would. After Darcy leaves them, the
Gardiners comment on his good looks and good manners, so strikingly
divergent from the account of Darcy’s character that Elizabeth has
given them.

Summary: Chapters 44–45

The next day, Darcy and Georgiana, who is pretty but very
shy, visit Elizabeth at her inn. Bingley joins them, and after a
brief visit, they invite Elizabeth and the Gardiners, who perceive
that Darcy is in love with their niece, to dine at Pemberley. The
following morning, Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner visit Pemberley to
call on Miss Darcy. Bingley’s sisters are both present; when Darcy
enters the room, Miss Bingley makes a spiteful comment to Elizabeth,
noting that the departure of the militia from Meryton “must be a
great loss to your family.” Elizabeth dodges the subject of Wickham.
This deflection proves fortunate given the presence of Georgiana,
as references to the man with whom she almost eloped would embarrass
her.

After the guests depart, Miss Bingley attempts to criticize
Elizabeth to Darcy, and makes a light remark about how he once thought Elizabeth
“rather pretty.” Darcy replies that he now considers Elizabeth “one
of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”

Analysis: Chapters 43–45

Elizabeth’s visit to Pemberley constitutes a critical
step in her progress toward marrying Darcy. The house itself is
representative, even a symbol, of its owner—the narrator describes
it as a “large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising
ground . . . in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled
into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were
neither formal, nor falsely adorned.” Darcy is similarly large and
handsome, elevated socially just as his house is elevated physically.
The description of the way the stream’s “natural importance was
swelled into greater” reminds the reader of Darcy’s pride; that
the stream is “neither formal, nor falsely adorned,” however, reminds
the reader of Darcy’s honesty and lack of pretense. Most importantly,
the property delights Elizabeth, foreshadowing her eventual realization
that the master of Pemberley similarly delights her.

Mrs. Reynolds’s glowing descriptions of Darcy continue
the process of breaking down Elizabeth’s initial prejudice against
him. As Mrs. Reynolds reveals a hidden side of Darcy, Elizabeth
realizes how hastily she has judged him. This ability to admit the
error of her ways demonstrates Elizabeth’s emotional maturity; unlike
Miss Bingley, who resorts to denigrating Elizabeth when she realizes
that Darcy favors her, Elizabeth does not allow arrogance to prevent
her from confronting her own shortcomings.

I haven't read the book but I saw the movie with Keira Knightley in it and let me just say, it was beautiful. I just had to buy it, I'm in love with it and know every word. Jane Austen is an incredible author!